Uncorkings 6/07/2010

Top industry stories of last week.

By Compiled by Kara Newman

Drug-store chain Walgreen Co. is reversing a roughly 15-year-old alcohol sales ban by returning beer and wine to its shelves.

China strengthened its image as a rapidly evolving wine market during Vinexpo Asia-Pacific in Hong Kong, described by some as a “gold rush atmosphere.” Attendance at the three-day event surged 40% over 2008 levels.

According to the U.S Champagne Bureau, shipments rose 20% in January and an “encouraging” 95% in February. The U.S. is Champagne’s second largest export market.

Raymond Vineyards, part of the Boisset Family Estates collection of wineries, appointed Stephanie Putnam as Director of Winemaking.

San Francisco restaurant Barbacco unveiled a fleet of yellow handheld touchscreen wine devices to help diners navigate its 105-bottle list. They claim to be the first in the Bay Area, possibly the West Coast, to be using such a system.

Fans of the band Tool have renewed reason to take interest in the wine world; a new documentary, Blood Into Wine, features the band’s front man, Maynard James Keenan, as he embarks on making his own wine.